Nelson City Council to proceed with Annual Plan 2026/27
Nelson’s proposed average rates increase for the 2026/27 Annual Plan will remain at 4.7%, the rate consulted on in the 2024-34 Long Term Plan, with Councillors confirming there are no significant or material differences from year three of the LTP.
This means that Council will not carry out formal consultation for the Annual Plan 2026/27 and will instead focus on delivering the work already agreed through the LTP and preparing for the major strategic engagement that will take place through the 2027–2037 Long Term Plan. The proposed rates increase for 2026/27 sits within Council’s updated rate cap of 5.1%.
Under the Local Government Act, councils are only required to consult on an annual plan if there are material or significant changes from what has already been publicly consulted on and adopted in the LTP. The proposed adjustments for 2026/27 relate largely to timing changes within existing budgets, rather than new spending or changes to levels of service.
The decision not to hold a consultation is expected to save about $143,000 in staff time and resourcing.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith said the decision to keep to the Long Term Plan for 2026/27 saved money and it was consistent with the recent local election result when the city voted for consistency of direction.
“The decision maintains the proposed rate rise for 2026/27 of 4.7%. This is well down on the 6.5% increase for this year and makes progress towards the Government’s new proposed cap in 2029 of 4%.
“Our Council wants to focus on doing rather than talking and would prefer to do a thorough consultation every three years on the Long Term Plan rather than a full process every year. This approach saves money and time for both Council and the public.
“We have two significant consultations planned for next year, one on the future of Civic House and the library and another on the waterfront work around the Wakefield Quay area. Then in 2027, we will be into the full consultation process on the Long Term Plan 2027-2037 and its wide-ranging engagement with the public on the city’s future.”
Updates include adjustments to the capital works programme, resulting in a proposed capital spend of approximately $110 million for 2026/27, a variance of $1.98 million from what was included in year three of the Long Term Plan. This has changed to align with revised delivery timelines and available central government funding, and movement of a number of stormwater, flood protection and roading projects between financial years.
Council has prioritised funding for resilience work across stormwater and flood protection, including stopbank and culvert upgrades, improvements to stormwater catchments, and roading renewals in areas affected by recent severe weather events.
The final Annual Plan will be brought to a Council meeting for adoption by the end of June 2026.
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